Moving Sept. 1 vs. Oct. 1?

[idealforcolors.livejournal.com]

Good morning. I'm looking forward to moving back to the area after 5 years out of state, although since rents are so high now, I'm expanding the search for an apartment for two people* pretty broadly beyond Davis this time. I'd love some advice on move-in dates if you have any thoughts.

The move is for a job in Cambridge starting in mid-October, so I'd prefer to move at the beginning of October, since rent and transportation costs would be much higher if we both moved earlier and commuted back to where we live now. But I've been watching Craigslist for a while, and I'm seeing a LOT of ads for September 1, compared to very little for July or August. This makes me think there may not be many open apartments available for October either. (Also, I'm looking in a below-median price range, which means we have pretty limited options.)

Based on your experience, do you think it's possible to find something for October, or do we need to soak up the substantial extra cost of moving in September just to make sure we can get a place? Thanks in advance!

*Unfortunately, sharing one room in an apartment with roommates is probably not a good option right now.

Comments

[narya.livejournal.com]

I have a lease until September 1 and would potentially be interested in extending it to October 1. If a 2-bedroom near Ball Square for $1650 is of interest, feel free to let me know.

Because Somerville is so driven by the academic calendar, June 1 and September 1 are the most typical dates. Our experience in looking for an April 1 apartment (this past spring) was that there were 3 other people interested, and we mainly got it because we wanted a shorter-term lease that would put it back on the September 1 cycle.

[chris saccardi (from livejournal.com)]

We are moving out of a place we've been renting near Davis and Porter - about a 1/2 mile from each near the bike path and Lexington Park. Rent would be around $2000 and an early October move-in would be fine. Please let me know if you are interested and I can talk to our landlord.

[angieo13.livejournal.com]

Hi there! My husband and I are actually looking for an apartment in your area (can move mid-September), is there any chance you could contact me with more details (if idealforcolors isn't interested.. don't mean to hijack her thread, but apartment searching is brutal!)

My email is angie0113 at me dot com.

Thank you!

[idealforcolors.livejournal.com]

Thanks a lot but sadly, that's out of my price range! Sounds like there's another interested party below though :)

[idealforcolors.livejournal.com]

That might be of interest! I will message you with my email address, I'd like to learn more about it. Thanks.

I'd have no problem going for an 11 month lease if that's what landlords are interested in.

One possible glass-half-full thought

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

With the flurry of rentals that come and go on September 1st, there are always tenants that fall through the cracks and bail on landlords, or prospective tenants who look good at first and so the rental is taken off the market, only to find that their credit is awful (or something similar) and the landlord is rushing to find a new tenant.

All that being said, while the pickings may be slim for an October 1 date in advance, there might be some opportunities to take advantage of come mid-September when the dust has settled. Landlords might be more willing to negotiate rent, plus your competition for placement is much lower than 9/1 when EVERYONE is looking.

I know it isn't a guarantee in any way, shape, or form, but just wanted to put it out there for thought in case it helps you feel a little better about the prospects coming your way.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

Oct 1 is a great time to look for an apartment. The problem is you kind of have to wait until September 2 to really get a good picture of the market. There will be less stuff to choose from, but generally I found that apartments not spear headed toward the 9/1 craziness tend to be a better value.

[idealforcolors.livejournal.com]

That's good to hear. I can wait until September 2. September 25, that's a bit scary, but almost a month ahead seems reasonable.

RE: One possible glass-half-full thought

[idealforcolors.livejournal.com]

I think looking for stuff that didn't get rented does seem like it would offer the best chance, just have to hope there is something like that in our price range. Thanks for the positive thoughts.

RE: One possible glass-half-full thought

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

PS- as you've seen, rents have gone haywire in Somerville in just the last few years. You should be prepared to look in less-desirable neighborhoods like lower Winter Hill and East Somerville (before the hatin' starts, that's where I live) to find something within your budget. The good news is that whatever bad things you may have heard about these places are becoming less true with time. They're not 100% family-friendly in all places, but their reputation keeps people away and rents lower. Good luck!

[lizzielizzie.livejournal.com]

Since you are moving from out-of-state, you probably won't have as much trouble getting a moving truck as I did the one time I moved on September 1st. Talk about a disaster....reserved a truck weeks in advance, only to be called 36 hours before my move and told that they had overbooked by 30+ trucks, so no moving truck for me.

If it is financially feasible, why not rent starting September 1st, but not move until the beginning of October? This assumes that you find the perfect apartment at the right price, and that you can afford paying double rent for one month.

[intuition-ist.livejournal.com]

There are landlords who cater to the student crowd, and landlords who'd really rather not. The latter type (and there are some) often advertise for October 1. But more than a couple of months lead time on a rental is usually unlikely.

[narya.livejournal.com]

I replied to you via lj message with my email address. Let me know if you're interested.